Are upgrades really this easy?
Jul 9, 2014, 6:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Syd
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, VA G
Posts: 886
Are upgrades really this easy?
Booked tickets for November yesterday for SYD->PER->SYD in Flexi
Called this morning to apply points to upgrade to the pointy end
I am a base "red" member, call was answered within 2min and upgrades confirmed and tickets re-issued in under 10min
Coming from the world of UA....
This just seams utterly implausible to me and there has to be some form of a catch....
Also on the A332
Any thoughts on which seats are the best seats in the front cabin?
Called this morning to apply points to upgrade to the pointy end
I am a base "red" member, call was answered within 2min and upgrades confirmed and tickets re-issued in under 10min
Coming from the world of UA....
This just seams utterly implausible to me and there has to be some form of a catch....
Also on the A332
Any thoughts on which seats are the best seats in the front cabin?
Jul 9, 2014, 8:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 924
I won't bother re-posting but here's the link to my post on 332 J seating:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgi...j-seating.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgi...j-seating.html
Jul 9, 2014, 10:08 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,997
FWIW, upgrade and flight awards come from the same fare bucket (Z), so if you find a flight with Business award availability, you can book a flexi on that flight and upgrade into that award space.
Jul 9, 2014, 11:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Plat, QF LTS, UA MM, Hilton Diamond, Rydges Black, ,Le-Club Gold
Posts: 3,659
Flexi? You paid over $500 one-way, about 250% of the normal economy fare, you should expect to find it easy to upgrade.
"Flexi" is effectively the new biz class, with the paltry 9900 points to upgrade.
"Flexi" is effectively the new biz class, with the paltry 9900 points to upgrade.
Jul 10, 2014, 6:15 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Syd
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, VA G
Posts: 886
Regardless though... its only the "new biz class" if the upgrades are available
Jul 10, 2014, 9:57 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 27
VA is very easy to upgrade on. Considering in effect that points are a liability for an airline. You could use your points for any offer they have. The more points people burn the less long term liability for the carrier. The cost of your economy flexo covers you being on a plane. Your points effectively only got you extra space and a fancy meal. The 20000 points could have almost been a free Y flight coast to coast plus taxes.
Dec 23, 2014, 4:14 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,333
Dec 27, 2014, 5:54 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Syd
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, VA G
Posts: 886
Even if I had to pay full rate of $1k + 20k points is cheap to me for a round trip considering the aircraft and service provided
I'm going to be doing this again in June for Supernova Perth and am looking forward to trying out the new J product
Dec 25, 2018, 2:23 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: AC,CX,KE,EK / IHG Spire, 1865 Gateway
Posts: 184
My brother's due to fly on the HKG SYD route and he initially booked under Y class, did a bid at the minimal aud570 just trying out his luck for fun and he received an email just now and it was confirmed. Merry Christmas all round haha!
Dec 25, 2018, 2:43 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,092
This time of year very few people are travelling for work, with paid business class tickets. But a lot are flying for personal travel, so VA may have overbooked economy class on the flight. Revenue management is never predictable.
Dec 25, 2018, 11:59 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Lifetime *G (MP), Lifetime PE (Bonvoy)
Posts: 1,465
Not VA I know, but a friend checked in on Xmas Eve with EK out of Sydney for Bangkok and was offered an upgrade to Business for $100. Needless to say he took them up on it
Dec 26, 2018, 3:06 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,997
I was offered an upgrade to business class for points on check-in. (I declined as it was a day flight and I had a bulkhead). I did not ask how many points.